Mistaken Identity

Alicia's POV

I couldn't help the groan that left my lips at the words that Daya said to me.

“Daya, not this! I can’t go out with you this time,” I tried to decline her invitation, or rather, pressure to spend another night clubbing. To my luck it was a weekend. But it didn’t change the fact that I wasn’t interested.

“Oh, don’t complain about it! It's been a week. Come on, Alicia! You saw how fun the club was, didn't you? I thought you would have gotten a taste for it,” Daya’s golden blonde hair bounced as she curled her strands expertly with the curling iron. “Besides, I’m broken-hearted, Alicia. Jimmy broke up with me yesterday and you didn’t even try to comfort me. Don’t be so horrible to your friend. Aren’t we friends?”

‘Against my better judgement,’ I wanted to respond, but chose to only nod. To be fair, though, Jimmy likely found out he wasn’t the only one she was dating and reacted badly to the ‘surprising’ revelation.

Knowing her, it wasn't a secret that she tended to shop around for the perfect man, even while dating someone. 

It was only problematic to me, I thought, because she was never satisfied. No matter what, she always wanted more from her men, ESPECIALLY in money and gifts.

But I wouldn't say it. I kept my opinions to myself again.

“By the way I got you another dress. It’s more your style. You know, more... matronly,” she looked over the black pants and basic blue button down combination I wore to work which I was still wearing: 

“Thanks,” I said. I didn’t mean to let the sarcasm show through my voice but it did anyway. However she didn’t seem to notice.

I took out the dress she was talking about and saw that, thankfully, it was just my style like she had said. Although it was a little risqué, it was far better than the dress I had to launder and return to her three days back.

It fell over the tops of my thighs and nearly reached my knees. The sequin gown was plain in cut, a simple sleeveless v-neck bodycon dress but I preferred it over any other outfit she had in her wardrobe.

After wearing my black coat over the dress, I put on some lipgloss and waited for Daya to finish her primping. Taking a deep breath, I looked out at the window.

Another night at the club meant nothing. This time,  I would stick to my role and stay invisible. I would follow Daya, entertain her until she got tired and go home. Nothing more.

And definitely NOTHING that had to do with the sexy but dangerous Acker.

…

“Oh, I’m going to bet all the guys will be all over me,” Daya squealed as we finally got to enter the club. To my luck, the bouncer was in a good mood and seemed to recognize us— or at least, Daya— from the previous time.

The ground floor of Dark Desires was booming with loud music, and I was sure I could feel every bit of it through my feet.

I sighed as Daya immediately got lost on the dance floor, leaving me alone once more. Of course she would.

My first instinct, surprising to myself, was to let my gaze wander to the bar. Got some reason, a traitorous part of me idly wondered if I would see those well styled dark strands against the neon lights.

However as I checked that area with my gaze, there was no one similar in sight. Disappointment twinged.

‘It’s okay, Alicia. It was just one night of fun’, I told myself. Forcing the thoughts away, I moved through the suffocating throng and focused on getting out of the way of the regulars. A corner of the club was either dangerous enough for people to take liberties or the safest haven from the rowdiness. Considering how little attention my outfit and appearance would get, I was betting on the latter.  

The plan was simple. Stay hidden, play whatever games I could and wait until either Daya popped up with a new smug, averagely rich beau or it was timely appropriate to leave. There was no use thinking about a man who I'd never see again. 

Besides, whoever he really was, he had been way out of my league and I had no intention of facing consequences for that.

Everywhere was packed unlike last time, perhaps because it was the weekend. No matter how I moved, I found myself being inched out of my destination. A twinge of panic filled me. I looked around, trying to find some way out of this.

“Hey you!” 

I was suddenly grabbed at my shoulder and spun around to face a burly man. 

 “What are you doing down here? You’re meant to be entertaining our customers!” A man shouted at me, his eyes narrowed at me.

I gaped at him briefly. Did he mistake me for someone else?

 “I… I don't-“ I began to stammer. Amidst the overstimulation of the alcohol-perfume-sweat smell combination, the crowded suffocating space and the deafening bass, I couldn't think properly.

The next thing I knew, a tray was being shoved in my hands and I was manhandled out of the crowded area. I didn't get to catch my breath when I was pushed in the direction of a set of stairs.

“Go on! Serve our VIP! Don’t skivvy off work again!” The man yelled at me and turned away before I could protest.

I gripped the tray in my hands, seeing the expensive selection of drinks on it. An instinctive panic swept over me. This was bad. Really bad.